The Plants and Animals of Crete

The plants and animals of Crete make this beautiful Island a nature lover’s paradise. It's wildlife and plants will fascinate and inspire those who want to explore it’s treasures. Crete is a fabulous place if you want to have a wonderful walking holiday to remember.

Many choose the Island as the perfect destination for mountain climbing, trekking, hiking or biking too.

Visitors who come to this fabulous Greek Island for a bird watching holiday, painting holiday or scuba diving holiday will not be disappointed.

The largest of the Greek Islands, the flora and fauna of Crete is rich and varied . Its geographical location, climate, and variety of altitude and terrain, have given this wondrous Island an amazing diversity of flowers, plants, trees, rare bird species, wildlife and marine life.

Plants and Animals of Crete

Plants (Fauna)

Dittany

Among these are dictamo (Origanum dictamnus), the herb made famous by Hippocrates for its medicinal properties and is used by the locals today to make Dittany of Crete tea.

Native only to the mountains of Crete it is considered a highly therapeutic plant and is reputed to be an aphrodisiac.

It was named after the mountain Dikti, the reputed birthplace of Zeus where it grows wild.

Other herbs are found growing wild throughout Crete and are used both in the Cretan Diet and for therapeutic reasons.

Cretan Plane Tree

Another unusual and unique plant endemic to Crete is the evergreen Cretan Plane Tree (platanus orientalis, var. cretica). This large tree is often found in the village squares, offering shade to the locals.

Although most plane trees are deciduous, this rare subspecies is evergreen and around 50 examples of its kind have been recorded on Crete. The most famous example of which, and highlighted in the Myths and Legends of Greek mythology, is the Plane Tree of Gortys.

Zeus was said to have made love to Europa under this plane tree, which has kept its leaves green all through the winter ever since. The plane tree can be found at the rear of Gortys archaeological site.

Flowers of Crete

Close-up of a pink Dittany flower, a native herb of Crete, showcasing its delicate petals and soft texture.

Close-up of a vibrant yellow sunflower with lush green leaves, captured in the sunny landscape of Crete.

Close-up of a vibrant pink Cistus flower with a bright yellow center, surrounded by lush green foliage in Crete.

The flowers of Crete are a feast for the senses, offering a dazzling variety that blooms abundantly across the island. Among the highlights are the iconic sunflowers, their golden heads turning to greet the Mediterranean sun, and the delicate pink Cistus, often called rock roses, adding a splash of color to the rugged landscapes. The prized dittany, known locally as "erontas," holds a special place in Cretan folklore and herbal traditions, growing wild on rocky cliffs and steep gorges.

Wild Cretan flowers, including rare and endemic orchids, bring vibrant color and sweet scents to the island year-round. Spring is the most spectacular season, when Crete’s mountains, plains, woods, and even seashores burst into a kaleidoscope of blooms, transforming the island into a natural paradise.

Words can only go so far in capturing the sheer beauty of Crete’s flora, which is why we’ve included images of some of the island’s standout flowers for you to enjoy. For those eager to delve deeper into this captivating subject, we recommend the expertly written handbook Wild Flowers of Crete by Vangelis Papiomitoglou. Packed with stunning photography and insightful descriptions, it’s an invaluable companion for nature lovers looking to identify and appreciate the wildflowers of Crete. Whether you’re a casual admirer or an avid explorer, this guide is an essential addition to your backpack.

Animals of Crete

The fauna of Crete is as equally diverse as the flora of Crete with many endemic and rare species of bird, animal and marine life to be found.

For Scuba Divers

In the seas around Crete - the Mediterranean, Aegean, Ionian and Libyan, all teem with a wide array of marine life. If you take a scuba diving holiday on Crete you can discover groupers, octopus, moray eels, salemas, banded bream, stingrays, sea rabbits, red and black scorpion fish, schools of barracudas and sea horses. Sponges, seashells and a variety of sea anemones can also be found. Check out our Guide to resorts where Scuba Diving and snorkeling are available.

For Sailors

Minoan frescoes at Knossos depict dolphins (delfinia) and have a long association with Crete. It is possible on the south coast of Crete, from Paleohora, to take Dolphin spotting trips. Occasional sightings of whales have also been reported around this area of the Libyan sea, and whale watching tours are possible.

Sea turtle swimming gracefully in the clear turquoise waters, showcasing the vibrant marine life of Crete.

On certain beaches on Crete you can see the Loggerhead Sea Turtle (caretta caretta).

The sea turtle, their nests, eggs and hatchlings are protected by Greek and International law so great care should be taken during its reproduction period. Leatherback turtles (dermochelys coriacea) and Green turtles (chelonia mydas) are also endangered species found in Crete.

For Birdwatchers

A bird watching holiday on Crete offers a wonderful opportunity to see some of the rarest European birds of prey with ease. The magnificent Cretan Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetus) and the Lammergeyer (Gypaetus barbatus), a subspecies unique to Crete, stand out among the birds to be spotted here. While birding on Crete you should also be able to spot Griffon Vultures and Buzzards.

Sardinian and Cetti's Warblers, Crested Larks, Swallows, Kingfishers, Hoopoes, Goldfinches and Chaffinches are common on Crete. So don't forget to pack your binoculars when taking your holiday in Crete.

For Walkers

For those of you are planning a walking holiday in Crete, or even a climbing, trekking or biking holiday, we guarantee that you will find many areas of unique and natural beauty to explore and admire. The mountains and gorges of Crete, (including the famous Samaria Gorge), the caves, fertile valleys, isolated plains, peninsulas and seashores and beaches, all offer the visitor a spectacular and varied landscape full of fascinating flora and fauna. On your walks you might be lucky and catch a glimpse of shy and unique Cretan inhabitant!

The most famed and unique Cretan wild goat (Capra aegagrus-cretica) known as the Agrimi or Kri Kri was depicted in Minoan art and inhabits the White Mountains, the Samaria National Forest and is also found on the islets of Dia, Aghioi Pantes and Thodoros. Many people have spotted this shy animal on their walks through the Samaria Gorge. Other interesting mammals on the island are the Cretan Shrew (Crocidura zimmermanni), the Cretan Spiny Mouse (Acomys minous), the Cretan marten (Martes foina-bunites), the Cretan badger (Melesmeles-arcalus) and the very rare Cretan wildcat (Felis silvestris agrius).

A great way to experience the full range of Crete flora and fauna is by walking the famous E4 European Walking Path (or maybe just part of it as it is 320km). From Kastelli in the west of Crete it begins and crosses along the whole island reaching Zakros in the east where it ends. The E4 path covers the White Mountains (Lefki Ori), Mount Psiloritis (Mount Ida) and the mountain Dikti.

If you are interest in the plants and animals of Crete, a walking holiday is the best way to enjoy its rich variety and accessibility.

Learn more about the plants and animals of Crete by visiting the Flora & Fauna section of the Destination Crete website, which offers comprehensive insights into the island's biodiversity.